Recruitment under way for next Chair of Highlands and Islands Enterprise
The Scottish Government has begun recruitment to appoint a new Chair for the Board of development agency Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE).
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Tests are being carried out to determine the potential for floating platforms that can be used by both offshore wind and wave energy devices.
Wave Energy Scotland (WES), a subsidiary of Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), is running the tests at the University of Edinburgh’s FloWave facility.
The move has been prompted by a report by Offshore Wind Consultants (OWC) Ltd exploring the synergies between the two areas of renewable energy and the potential benefits of sharing infrastructure, services and supply chains.
Conditions in the testing facility have been created to match one of the west of Scotland offshore sites recently leased through the Scotwind programme that also has wave energy potential.
The testing incorporates multiple identical wave energy absorbers mounted onto a semi-submerged, triangular floating platform.
The absorbers are based on AWS Ocean Energy’s Archimedes Waveswing; a submerged wave power buoy developed and funded through WES’s Novel Wave Energy Converter Programme. The platform is similar to many concepts under development within the floating wind sector.
The outcomes of the tests will improve the understanding of the performance and physical interaction between multiple wave absorbers on a floating platform.
Results are expected to show whether it is feasible for offshore wind and wave energy projects to share infrastructure in the form of versatile wind and wave platforms, which could improve efficiency and reduce costs.
Dr Thomas Davey, principal experimental officer at the University of Edinburgh FloWave facility, said:
“WES, through its technology development programme, has been working with FloWave and the University of Edinburgh since its inception to develop the requirements for robust testing campaigns. It’s great to see a focus now on an ambitious new approach as they complete their own tank testing to inform the future development path of versatile platform designs.”
Elva Bannon, research and engineering manager with WES, said:
“Recent reports, and support from Scottish Government, show the vast opportunity for collaboration and cross over between floating wind and wave energy. We are taking the initiative to carry out research in the area by completing a testing campaign to progress the sector’s understanding of how these versatile platforms may perform, which can help reinforce the economic analysis. We are excited to share further results of this project over the coming months.”
The Scottish Government has begun recruitment to appoint a new Chair for the Board of development agency Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE).
Tha Riaghaltas na h-Alba air tòiseachadh a’ trusadh gus Cathraiche ùr fhastadh chun a’ Bhùird aig a’ bhuidheann leasachaidh Iomairt na Gàidhealtachd ’s nan Eilean (HIE).
A multi-million pound investment is being made in one of Scotland’s most strategically important ports.
The renewable energy credentials of the Highlands and Islands has attracted a visit this week from the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ).
HIE’s application is for permission to establish infrastructure, such as roads and utilities, to create serviced plots for sale to developers.
There’s a focus on renewable energy and the need to maximise economic and community benefits while driving the transition to net zero.
New state of the art automated plant and machinery, including artificial intelligence (AI), is being installed.
The move will help facilitate the company’s further growth. Its corporate and compliance team of ten will relocate to Aurora House, with the company’s operational base remaining in Beauly.
Project will help support economic growth and strengthen population retention in Caithness
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